What if a Category 4 hurricane swept up the Chesapeake Bay? Would you know whether to evacuate or stay put? If you had to go to a shelter, what would you do with your pet? Would your insurance cover you if your house were damaged or destroyed?

a. Sit in the dark, waiting for the power to come back.

b. Light candles.

c. Search around in the kitchen drawers for flashlight batteries; they’ve got to be in there somewhere.

d. Know exactly where to find flashlights, battery-powered lanterns and fresh batteries.

a. Drink soda or juice and wash up at school or the office.

b. Visit relatives or friends where we could take showers and use the bathroom.

c. Check the bottled water on the basement shelf and try to remember how old it is.

d. Drink and wash from a supply of bottled water that we replace every few months.

a. Misplaced; we have no idea where they are.

b. Scattered in various locations throughout the house.

c. Filed in the home office.

d. Secured in a water and fireproof box.

a. We have no plans. Why do we need them? They go wherever we go.

b. We’d leave them at home with plenty of food and water.

c. We’d take them with us, hoping we could find a shelter or hotel willing to accept them.

d. We’ve made arrangements with family, friends and our vet to take them at a moment’s notice.

a. To trust us to take care of them. We don’t want them to be disturbed by thinking about the bad things that can happen.

b. How to call 911 and how to call us.

c. That a list of emergency contacts is posted on the refrigerator.

d. Our family disaster plan, which includes a specific person to call if we’re ever separated, meeting places and a home escape route.

a. My neighbors.

b. The television.

c. The Internet.

d. A battery-powered radio.

a. Hang out at the mall and wait to hear how long before we could return.

b. Throw a few clothes and necessities in a suitcase and take an impromptu vacation.

c. Leave; then coordinate with family members or friends about what to do if I needed to be away for an extended period.

d. Grab my emergency kit and follow the steps in my family preparedness plan.

a. I don’t have one, but we do have flashlights and some first aid materials scattered through the house.

b. A drawer with flashlights and batteries, some bottled water in the basement and a first-aid kit in the bathroom.

c. A bin with flashlights and batteries, bottled water, some canned foods, a first-aid kit, a blanket and a battery-powered radio.

d. Enough water, non-perishable food and supplies at home to last three to five days, plus a smaller kit in the car; a battery-powered radio; and extra supplies of medications and prescriptions.

a. Refuse to leave. Most "emergencies" don’t turn out to be a big deal.

b. Wait to see if the situation worsened, then decide.

c. Wait for word from the Governor, since he’s the only one with the authority to order evacuations.

d. Follow the advice of local authorities in order to ensure my safety and that of emergency responders.

a. Nothing specific. The authorities will take care of them.

b. I would call them and together we’d decide what to do as the situation unfolds.

c. We’ve discussed in advance that in case of emergency they’d call the nearest relative to come and get them.

d. I’ve helped them assemble their own emergency kit, and we have an extended family plan for relocating them in case they need to leave their home.

How did you do?

"D" is the best answer to all of these questions.  If you answered "D," you are as prepared as you can reasonably be.

If you answered "C" to most of the questions, you're on the right track, but you're not prepared enough.  If you answered "A" or "B" to most of the questions, you and your family face serious problems if an emergency occurs.